Areopagitica

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Areopagitica is the noblest and most extensive defense of freedom of the
press in English, perhaps in any language. Although Milton was sufficiently
practical to serve as a censor of books himself when his opposition to this
practice was ignored by the government, he never lost his conviction that
the best way to battle falsehood was to let it have its say and be defeated
by the superior power of truth. Strangling infants in the cradle was simply
not his style. As a teacher, he knew that stifling rational dissent leads to
tyranny by stopping thought, and he placed far more trust in education than
in legislation for fostering virtue and good sense. In this long essay, in the
form of a five-part Classical oration addressed to Parliament (the
counterpart of the Areopagus or council of elders in ancient Athens), he
brings to bear on this subject a wide variety of arguments, including antique
precedents, philosophical and religious considerations, and his own
experience as a published author. The document presents the portrait of the
idealistic heart of the British republic struggling against the political
expediency that upholds government. (Summary by Thomas Copeland)

Read by Thomas A. Copeland. Total running time: 2:47:27

This recording is in the public domain and may be reproduced, distributed, or modified
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Cover picture by unknown artist. Copyright expired in U.S., Canada, EU. and all countries with
author's life +70 yrs laws. Cover design by Annise. This design is in the public domain.

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